Want to cruise the high seas, but do you think cruise ships are too big? Downsizing to a superyacht! Inside the Emerald Azzurra with seating for 100 passengers (and a journey through the VERY narrow Corinth Canal in Greece)
Travel writer Jo Kessel filmed her seven-day Greece cruise on the very first Emerald Cruises ‘superyacht’ from the Australian Emerald Cruises, the Emerald Azzurra with room for 100 passengers.
The footage shows the bijou ship’s swish facilities, from the infinity pool to the infrared sauna and water sports platform, and Jo toots the ship’s horn and makes her own ‘fabulous’ cocktail.
Australian Emerald Cruises is best known for its luxury river cruises in Europe and Southeast Asia. But a year ago, Emerald launched its first-ever seafaring luxury yacht, Emerald Azzurra.
And ever since, this glitzy, shiny ship has been turning heads and making vacationers on larger cruise ships a little jealous.
And that’s because, while larger ships tend to dock in commercial ports outside the city, Azzurra can be found parked in central marinas, next to superyachts of the rich and famous.
Travel writer Jo Kessel filmed her seven-day cruise to the Greek island on the very first Emerald Cruises ‘superyacht’ from the Australian Emerald Cruises, the Emerald Azzurra with room for 100 passengers. Pictured above is Jo in the beautiful infinity pool
Jo tries a breakfast ‘shot’ consisting of grapefruit, pomegranate, berries and cinnamon. She says, ‘Nice? Not really! Good for you? Just think it’
Indeed, that’s where I met the seven-deck Emerald Azzurra, moored in an enviable location right opposite the old town of Rhodes. When I stepped aboard my very first superyacht, there were so many questions. Would it be stuffy? Would I feel out of place? What would my fellow guests be like? I hoped not only to get answers, but also to capture the atmosphere on camera: the glitz, the glamour, the luxury.
In the film I first test one of Azzurra’s lounge cushions: extensive sunbathing areas with cushions, typical of mega yachts. This flanks the ship’s infinity pool, but there are many more one floor up on the top deck, next to the oversized hot tub.
For such a small ship, the seventh-deck Azzurra is a real winner, with a gym, infrared sauna and water sports platform at the back of deck two.
This turns into what’s called a ‘marina’: a giant water playground filled with toys ranging from a trampoline to paddle boards and floating mats. If I had been braver I would have tried the yacht’s ‘Sea Bob’ instead of a kayak. Watch another guy whiz past me as I paddle – it’s like a motorized float that you lie on your stomach on and steer as you go in a circle. Looks nice, but downright terrifying.
The shot glasses seen next in the movie should have been filled with something much stronger to get me on that Sea Bob! But instead, these shot glasses contain a daily “raw boost” that guests can enjoy with breakfast. The concoctions are not for the faint of heart. Ginger, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar in one; pineapple, cinnamon, berries and pepper in another. The one I try is grapefruit, pomegranate, berries and cinnamon. Nice? Not really! Good for you? Do the math.
There is an extra large hot tub on the top deck of the ship, which Jo is trying out here in the photo
“Emerald Azzurra exudes style without being stuffy,” says Jo
The ship happens: Jo says that perhaps the best thing about Azzurra’s size is the fact that ‘it’s small enough to pass through the Greek Corinth Canal’
Much tastier is the Bahama Mama, which bartender Colin taught us to mix during a cocktail-making demo. Pour large amounts of rum, liqueur and pineapple juice, followed by vigorous shaking. Tastes sensational – more please.
Emerald Azzurra exudes style without being stuffy and as the images move to the cabins (mine is a balcony suite with a high-tech blackout curtain) it shows how the décor is minimalist chic with pops of colour, from bold striped beach towels to designer cushions, both from the luxury brand Missoni Home. I later heard that these cushions cost a whopping £250 each!
My Greece itinerary prioritized exploring the port, either by exploring independently (the ship has free-to-use e-bikes) or by joining one of the included excursions. During my sailing, four free excursions were offered and I signed up to visit the archaeological site of Delphi. The images show the awe-inspiring ancient remains of Greek temples and statues, including a stadium dating back to 500 BC.
!['The video shows how spectacular the Corinth Canal is to sail through [above]especially when it is lit up at night,” writes Jo](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/11/09/77316429-12701769-_The_video_shows_how_spectacular_the_Corinth_Canal_is_to_transit-a-30_1704963631312.jpg)
‘The video shows how spectacular the Corinth Canal is to sail through [above]especially when it is lit up at night,” Jo writes
As Emerald Azzurra navigates the four-mile Corinth Canal, it’s the hairiest and tightest squeeze
Jo explains that only ships narrower than 17.5 meters can sail through the Corinth Canal
Emerald Azzurra has 50 cabins and can accommodate 100 passengers
The smaller size of the ship allowed Jo to visit parts of Greece such as the Cyclades island of Amorgos, pictured here
Emerald Azzurra perfectly illustrates the saying that ‘the best things come in small packages’. Due to its small size (only 110 meters long) it can go to places where larger ships cannot reach, such as the easternmost Cyclades island of Amorgos, which is only accessible by boat and has almost as many churches as inhabitants – 350 to be precise !
Another advantage of being small is that the captain is relaxed when guests visit the bridge to watch him steer.
He excitedly makes me honk as we leave the harbour.
And Azzurra’s dimensions also come in handy when dining. The restaurant seats the majority of guests on the outdoor rear terrace, where the food is always top class and wines included. Everything tastes better outside, illuminated by the setting sun.
And one evening we are treated to a supermoon so bright it casts a beam over the sea.
But perhaps the best thing about Azzurra’s size is that it is small enough to pass through Greece’s Corinth Canal.
It may not be as well known as its counterparts in Panama and Suez, but as one of the smallest canals in the world, designed as a shortcut to connect two bodies of water (the Ionian and the Aegean Seas), it is still a impressive feat of engineering.
It took 2,000 years for work to get underway (after several failed attempts) and it was finally completed in 1893.
The ship offers facilities including an infrared sauna and a water sports platform, as seen above
Jo explores Greece on an e-bike, pictured, provided free of charge by Emerald Azzurra
Jo’s balcony suite with a high-tech blackout curtain
The video shows how spectacular the Corinth Canal is to sail through, especially when it is illuminated at night.
Only ships narrower than 17.5 meters can fit between the steep limestone walls that enclose the narrow waterway.
Emerald Azzurra is 55 feet wide and as it navigates the four-mile length of the canal, it is the hairiest and tightest spot.
One of the most memorable cruise experiences ever.
The finale of the video shows that this is a ship that likes to party… in a stylish way.
The atmosphere is relaxed, fun and informal with a touch of exclusivity.
Other guests come from Australia, America, Canada and Britain – they all love to let their hair down, socialize and hit the dance floor.
Do I feel out of place? Absolutely not! It’s amazing from start to finish with the ship’s luxurious design and personalized service making me feel like I’ve chartered my own private yacht. The problem is, this is definitely a lifestyle I could get used to. Same time next year, anyone?
For more videos from Jo, visit her YouTube channel Go with Jo.